asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are his plans for the future for adult education and, in particular, for the future role of the Workers' Educational Association.

I greatly value the work that is being done by the adult education service in general and the Workers' Educational Association in particular. When I have held discussions about the Russell Report with the main adult education interests I hope it will be possible to make progress in implementing the report's recommendations, although the rate of progress is bound to be affected by our difficult economic situation.